ancestral worship, confucianism, filial piety, kibun, korean etiquette, numchi, respect for elders

Respecting Your Elders: Lessons From Korea

Respect for your elders is deeply ingrained in Korean culture. This respect is based on Confucian philosophy and is essential to Korean values and norms. From a young age, children are taught to respect their elders. So even when making important life decisions, the opinion of your grandparents and parents counts. Why is it important ...

Nathan Machoka

An elderly Korean couple.

A Band of Thieves Was Moved by Filial Piety

Filial piety is one of the most important aspects of the lives of the ancient Chinese. The traditional Chinese character xiao ” 孝 ”  is a combination of the character of an elder person being carried by the son (Zi) becoming 孝 and illustrates the concept of the younger ones helping their elders. The following ...

Helen London

An elderly person's hands.

The Filial Piety of Duke Zhuang of Zheng Was Very Well Known

Ji Wusheng (757-701 B.C.), later known as Duke Zhuang of Zheng, was born to be the ruler of the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn Period in China. His mother suffered a great deal in giving birth to him as it was a breech birth. She was frightened and disturbed by the experience and ...

Helen London

Yang Chufu was ordered by the King to go on a mission to the state of Wei.